Village green victory at Steyning, West Sussex

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With the Friends of Memorial Playing Field at Steyning in the South Downs National Park, we are delighted that West Sussex County Council has resolved to extend village-green status to the whole of the Memorial Playing Field (MPF).

The council took the decision on Tuesday 26 February, to register land adjoining the existing village green, thereby extending the green to double the original size.  The application for the green was submitted by the Friends and opposed by Steyning Parish Council, the landowner.  The council objected largely because it wants to site a skatepark here.  However, that objection was not considered to be relevant.

West Sussex County Council’s public rights of way committee concluded that the applicants had satisfied the tests for green status, proving that the land had been used for informal recreation for at least 20 years, by local people without permission, interruption or challenge.

Says Paul Campbell, vice-chair of the Friends: ‘With the assistance of the Open Spaces Society, we have ensured that this beautiful, tranquil area has the highest status of protection.  This will help to preserve MPF’s unique qualities for future generations.

‘However, this special area remains under major threat because of a planning application for a skatepark in the centre of the lovely vista.  The Friends of MPF have called for this application to be abandoned in the face of the successful registration as a village green.’

The view across the new green, which would be destroyed by the skatepark. Photo: John Catchpole.

Adds Nicola Hodgson, our case officer: ‘We were pleased to help the Friends of MPF with their application and delighted that the land has been registered as a green.  We too oppose the skatepark which would be detrimental to the amenity value of this peaceful area within the national park.

‘With the skatepark application pending, the registration of MPF as a green would not have been possible had the government’s Growth and Infrastructure Bill been in force,’ Nicola continues.  ‘This Bill will prevent people from registering land as a green if it is threatened with development.  This damaging measure will take effect two months after enactment—which could be next month.

‘So the Friends of MPF did well to get in ahead of the guillotine, but other spaces will suffer.  It is essential that local people apply to register any land which they have enjoyed for 20 years, without being stopped or asking permission, as soon as possible.  By May it may be too late.’

The battle against the skatepark planning application continues, with a decision due to be made by Horsham District Council on 19 March.  The objectors include the Open Spaces Society, the Ramblers, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the South Downs Society, Sport England, the Steyning Society, Steyning Cricket Club and a large number of local residents.

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